Though a particular rangefinder may say it is rated to a certain distance does not mean that is what you will get out of a rangefinder. The maximum distance rangefinders will work will be dependent on the intended object’s reflectivity and the current conditions. The maximum rated distance is what most manufactures put on the box and is figured in ideal conditions on a reflective object. On deer sized animals, you will be lucky to get 75% of the maximum range and less than ideal conditions will drop the effective range even more. This discrepancy is less with the more expensive models and greater with the less expensive models.

Being waterproof is another advantage that some rangefinders have over others. When you are out in the woods for an extended period, you never know what type of weather you will be exposed to. Devices can be costly, and you don’t want them to be ruined by rain and other adverse conditions. The same is true if you accidentally dropped your rangefinder near a puddle of water.
Rangefinders for hunting offer you many benefits when it comes to making a kill. Not all of them offer the same benefits, however, so you must know what to look for when purchasing a rangefinder. Size and weight are important considerations if you want to be able to carry this gadget properly. A camo finish will allow you to sneak up on your prey without being detected. Waterproof hunting rangefinders are also a good choice so that your device is not damaged in the rain.

Also, you should be aware that all laser rangefinders operate by firing an invisible, tightly focused, beam of light at a given target and then measuring the time it takes for said beam of light to be reflected from the target and return to the rangefinder in order to calculate the distance to the target. Therefore, all laser rangefinders are adversely affected by hazy atmospheric conditions, glare, any objects between the rangefinder and the target and, objects that absorb the light beam instead of reflecting it. Consequently, even though rangefinders are designated as having a maximum distance at which that the particular unit will range a target, it should be noted that even though the manufacturer’s specifications may state a maximum distance of "X" number of yards for that particular unit, most will only range objects at that distance under optimal atmospheric conditions from highly reflective surfaces. However, when encountering atmospheric anomalies such as heat waves, glare, or even hazy conditions, any rangefinder’s ability to range objects over long distances will be reduced to between one half and one third of the stated maximum range! In addition, your ability to target and range objects may be further impaired by either poor optics or an overly bright reticle. Thus, some models of laser range finders feature a fixed amount of magnification but, it should be noted that while this feature does make your target appear larger in the view screen, it does not enable the rangefinder to measure accurately at longer ranges. Also, in addition to magnification, the better quality units feature multi-coated lenses that reduce glare and increase clarity which also helps you target your chosen quarry.